The Basics
The Topstep Octagon is a monthly leaderboard competition for Live Funded Account® (LFA) Traders. Every month, there are two ways to win: the Top PnL and Longest Winning Streak competition. Month ends, board resets, we run it back.
Live Funded Account Competitions
| Top PnL | Longest Winning Streak |
Structure | Monthly leaderboard competition | Monthly leaderboard competition |
How you earn | Rank in the top 100 by Net PnL
| Rank in the top 5 with consecutive days of more than $500 in profit. |
Bonus pool | Fixed $200,000/month | Fixed $50,000 |
Top bonus | $75,000 (1st place)
| $25,000 (1st place) |
Winners per month | Top 100 Traders every month 🔥 | Top 5 Traders every month 🔥 |
Progress | Resets every month | Resets every month |
Eligible | LFA Traders only | LFA Traders only |
Status | Starts August 2026 | Starts August 2026 |
How It Works
Eligible Traders: All LFA Traders — automatically enrolled, no sign-up required
Metrics: Two ways to win — Net PnL for the Top PnL Competition, and consecutive days with more than $500 in profit for the Longest Winning Streak
Monthly ranking: Every account starts each month at a virtual $0. Prior account balance is retained but doesn't affect your monthly ranking.
To qualify for a bonus: Finish the month net positive and rank in the top 100 for P&L, or rank in the top 5 for the longest winning streak
Bonus pool: $250,000 every month, fixed ($200,000 allocated to Top PnL and $50,000 allocated to Longest Winning Streak)
Payout: Added to your account balance the following month after rankings are finalized
Cadence: Resets at market open on the first day of each month
Leaderboard: Updates in real time throughout the month
Top PnL Competition
Place | Payout |
1st | $75,000 |
2nd | $25,000 |
3rd | $20,000 |
4th | $15,000 |
5th | $10,000 |
6th–10th | $5,000 each |
11th–25th | $750 each |
26th–50th | $500 each |
51st–100th | $125 each |
Longest Winning Streak
Place | Payout |
1st | $25,000 |
2nd | $15,000 |
3rd | $5,000 |
4th | $3,000 |
5th | $2,000 |
Longest Winning Streak Tie Rules
Longest Winning Streak Tie Rules
Longest Winning Streak Tie Rules
When two or more Traders tie in rank, standard pooled Payouts apply:
Combine the prize money for all positions included in the tie.
Split the total equally among everyone tied.
The next finisher receives the prize for the next available rank.
Example: Three-way tie for 1st in the winning-streak competition
1st + 2nd + 3rd = $25,000 + $15,000 + $5,000 = $45,000
Each tied trader receives $15,000, and the next trader receives the 4th-place prize of $3,000.
FAQs
Who's eligible for the Topstep Octagon?
Who's eligible for the Topstep Octagon?
All LFA Traders are eligible and automatically enrolled each month. No sign-up required.
How is placement on the leaderboard determined?
How is placement on the leaderboard determined?
Top PnL: Placement is determined strictly by your total Net PnL for the month. Traders with the highest net positive PnL are ranked from 1st to 100th.
Winning Streak: Placement is determined by the highest number of consecutive days with more than $500 in profit. Traders with the longest streaks are ranked from 1st to 5th.
Does this promote irresponsible trading?
Does this promote irresponsible trading?
No. The best Traders get to Live — and consistently win — through responsible trading. It's the reason Live Funded Accounts have a Daily Loss Limit built in, and the reason the Risk Team helps monitor and lock in your profits. Trade responsibly to get called up to Live. Trade responsibly to win the Topstep Octagon.
Risk Lock-In — Once you're in a Live Funded Account (LFA), you're trading real firm-backed capital. When you have exceptional intraday performance, the Risk Team may set a minimum profit floor for the day. That's Risk Lock-In. It's not meant to stop you from trading or cap your upside — it's meant to make sure a great day stays great.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) — All Live Funded Accounts have a Daily Loss Limit that scales dynamically as your Live Funded Account® profits grow. Earn your way to more buying power while trading responsibly.
Can I opt out of the Topstep Octagon?
Can I opt out of the Topstep Octagon?
Yes. Contact Support to opt out.
If you'd like to participate but wish to use an Alias, we can help with that too. Just contact support and let us know.
Note: if you opt out, you won't be eligible for bonuses and won't appear on the leaderboard. Only Traders with Live Funded Accounts or those in the process of being transferred to Live can opt out.
Does this change how capital is unlocked in my LFA (Scale In and Scale Up) or DLL expansion?
Does this change how capital is unlocked in my LFA (Scale In and Scale Up) or DLL expansion?
No. Scale In and Scale Up and Dynamic Live Risk Expansion are not changing. This update only replaces the prior Live bonus structure with the Topstep Octagon.
The way you unlock capital and scale your DLL in Live has not changed.
This applies to all Live Funded Traders, regardless of whether you finish in the top 100.
If I have a smaller account am I at a disadvantage?
If I have a smaller account am I at a disadvantage?
Larger accounts can offer a scale advantage, but Traders consistently succeed with accounts of all sizes. Numerous top 10 finishers have started with $50K accounts. The key is trading responsibly and building a winning strategy. Learn more about your starting balance when being called up to Live.
Does the leaderboard reset every month?
Does the leaderboard reset every month?
Yes. Each month is a fresh competition. Every Trader starts back at zero on the leaderboard — but that's ranking only. Your actual account balance stays exactly where you left it.
When are bonuses paid and how will I receive them?
When are bonuses paid and how will I receive them?
Bonuses are paid the following month after leaderboard rankings are finalized. The bonus is added directly to your account balance and you'll be notified by email. Bonuses follow the same standard payout guidelines as your trading profits.
Can I earn more than one bonus in the same month?
Can I earn more than one bonus in the same month?
Yes. The Top PnL Competition and the Longest Winning Streak are evaluated separately. Eligible traders can earn bonuses from both pools in the same calendar month.
What if I'm called up to Live midway through the month?
What if I'm called up to Live midway through the month?
Congrats on making it to Live! Your monthly PnL toward the Topstep Octagon starts at zero when you're called up, but you can still compete in the current month. Anything is possible.
What if my monthly PnL goes negative?
What if my monthly PnL goes negative?
Don't quit. You must finish the month net positive to qualify for a bonus, but the leaderboard locks at month end — you still have time to recover and fight your way into the top 100.